- Epidemiological characteristics and transmission dynamics of mpox in Bujumbura, Burundi, 2024
Abstract
Background
In Africa, the transmission of Monkeypox (mpox), especially in countries that were initially unaffected, including Burundi, is still inefficiently reported. This study has analyzed various demographics and cases, alongside the transmission pathways and risk factors to apprise effective, setting-specific control strategies for mitigation of mpox outbreaks while also guiding prospective responses to similar outbreaks in resource-restricted contexts.
Methods
To effectively characterize the transmission patterns of clade Ib monkeypox virus, the study evaluated the laboratory-confirmed mpox cases in Bujumbura, Burundi, alongside their contacts, as from 25th July 2024–26?th October 2024. Collection of data was mainly done via patient interviews, national surveillance data, and electronic health records.
Results
A total of 850 laboratory-confirmed mpox cases alongside 7773 acknowledged contacts were included in the study. The average age of the patients was 20.3 (interquartile range: 22.0; range: 3 months–71 years), while a larger proportion of the patients (71.9%) comprised children aged
publier le 2026-08-29 09:43:43
- Structures and Available Processes to Support Perinatal Care in District Hospitals of Western Uganda
Abstract:
Background: To emphasize the essence of high-quality care in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed standards to support planners. This study describes the structures and care processes that were in place to support perinatal care provided to pregnant women at three district hospitals in Bunyoro region, Uganda using the WHO standards as a benchmark.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using pre-tested structured questionnaires and an observation checklist among 61 facility managers and healthcare providers working in perinatal units. The data were collected on structures that focused on staffing, basic equipment, essential medicines and supplies, diagnostic capacity, and basic amenities. In addition, data were collected on the following processes: Supervision of perinatal care, in-service training for perinatal healthcare providers, transition in care, coordination of care, and continuity of care. Descriptive analysis was used for all the data using the STATA software, version 13.
Results: Only 5 out of 18 doctors were designated to perinatal units. Each hospital had only one anesthetic officer. Two out of three of the hospitals did not have vital equipment in their postnatal units nor any communication equipment in all their perinatal units. No maternity unit had a designated waiting space for women in labor. The highest bed density for delivery and maternity beds was 6.6 per 1000 pregnant women. Refresher training was only offered once a year. Receiving units were not notified of the referral. Patient care records were paper-based using papers/exercise books as alternative documentation tools. Medications and laboratory or diagnostic findings were the least documented.
Conclusion: There is a shortage of critical human resources, equipment, and delivery and maternity beds. There were gaps in the communication of referrals and documentation of pregnant women’s care. The presence of a robust infrastructure, staffing, equipment, and medicines is critical in the provision of quality care to pregnant women.
publier le 2026-08-29 09:50:05
